Tough As Nails first timers test their mettle
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WHEELING - The Tough As Nails Urban Challenge presented by The Health Plan welcomed some enthusiastic first-timers Sunday. Some tackled the challenge for a good cause or in memory of a lost friend and others came to challenge themselves, but all threw themselves into the taxing obstacle course.
Shawn Crall of Xenia, Ohio, was participating in the memory of his friend Mike Manning, who died of bone cancer in August. Crall said Manning would have appreciated the gesture.
"He was a really good friend. He was amazing. I used to work with him. Just a ball of joy and a ball of energy. Someone who always had a good time and loved life," he said, adding this was his third year of obstacle course racing.
He credited his friend, Brad Smith of Canton, for encouraging him to try the Wheeling course.
"I want to beat Shawn or set a world record, whichever comes first," Smith said. He is also trying the challenge for the first time.
"This is something I have not tried before, this particular one," Smith said. He is competing in recognition of wounded warriors. "It showed up on my radar earlier this year."
His brother, Brian Smith, is retiring from the Army after 29 years and Shawn Crall's son, Preston, serves in the Air Force.
They also compete in Spartan obstacle courses. Smith said they met and made many other friendships at such events.
Brian Hunley of Morgantown is also trying the course for the first time.
"My wife did a Spartan race last year. I was training to do that with her this year," he said, adding he has been running since December to prepare. "I've never done anything like this before. I want to challenge myself."
Tony Wine of Parkersburg was wearing the red white and blue colors when he tried the Tough As Nails course. Memorial Day weekend was foremost in his mind.
"I always like to make a statement at the OCRs. On Memorial Day what better outfit to wear than something honoring our fallen soldiers?" he said he is not a veteran himself, but knows many who have served. He said he participates in events put on by Operation Enduring Warrior. "I kind of feel a connection to them," he said. "This is my first Tough As Nails. I've done the Spartan race before. I've done War Axe, I've done Indian Mud Run, so this will be an interesting challenge, being an urban OCR."
He said he has been working on upper body and grip strength. He added his job as a service technician for Clayton Homes is also demanding.
"Also the type of work that I do is bonus training, very physical," he said. "Crawling underneath homes and on top of them."
Wine discovered his love of the sport fairly recently.
"I just turned 51," he said. "I didn't run my first half-marathon till I was 45, so I'm late coming to the sport. I've always wanted to do this kind of stuff. I did my first OCR at 47 and I've been addicted to them ever since."
Wine said he looks forward to the variety of challenges.
"I'm just stoked because I've never done it before, never even heard of an urban OCR," he said. "I just want to finish it. I'll be happy to take home that finisher medal and know that I've finally done it."
Rickelle Groover of Pittsburgh, a combat arms instructor in the Air Force National Guard 171st, raced with her mother, Lisa Groover.
"We've done the Tough Mudder (obstacle course) in Seven Springs (Pittsburgh) a couple of times, and we figured we'd come here and give this one a go," Rickelle Groover said, adding the strong showing of veterans meant much during Memorial Day Weekend.
"I understand what the holiday's for obviously. It's not just for barbeques and picnics. We're here for a reason."
Heather Lind and Robert Treglia of Pittsburgh took it on for the challenge, and kept their sense of humor.
"Just my own sheer stupidity," Treglia said.